Profile image
Military service
Service number:
43052
Age:
26
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Air Force
Division:
238 Sqdn.
Birth:
November 1, 1915
Philadelphia
Death:
December 6, 1941
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
Column 241.
Additional information
Son of Joseph and Martha Zatonski, of Brantford, Ontario. Husband of Constance Mary (née Bunce) Zatonski, of Seaway Mount, Seaway Lane, Cockington, Torquay, South Devon, England. The family settled in Canada in 1926. At Central School in Brantford, Alex was active in its Skylark Club. He later attended Brantford Collegiate Institute where he earned the respect of his teachers and coaches for both his academic achievements and for his athletic prowess, especially football. Prior to the invasion of Poland, 24 year old Alexander was in London, England attempting to arrange immediate transportation to the 'old country'. Bitterly disappointed that he was unable to fight for his parents homeland, Alex joined the Royal Air Force rather than return to Canada. After some time in the RAF, he met his wife and they were married on 21 May 1941. On October 23, 1941, he was posted to the 238 Squadron and left Glasgow, Scotland, and a few days later for the Middle East. On 6 December 1941, he flew his first sortie over the desert, later in the day, on his second sortie, the plane in which he was flying was attacked from above. He regretfully never met his son, John Alexander. The City of Brantford named Zatonski Avenue for Flight Officer Alexander Zatonski, and registered it on 29 March 2001.
Digital gallery of Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
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Photo of Alexander Zatonski
Zatonski Avenue, in Brantford, Ontario was named in honour of Flying Officer Alexander Zatonski. <p> Note the following corrections to the text accompanying this photo:<br> He was born in the USA on November 1, 1915<br> He married Constance Mary Bunce<br> He was initially shot down in August, 1940<p> Photo from the <i>Album of Honour for Brant County</i> published by the Brantford Kinsmen Club in 1946. Additional information and photo courtesy of Floyd Williston, May 2003. -
Album Cover
Album of Honour for Brant County World War II 1939-1945<P> Published in 1946 by The Brantford Kinsmen Club and submitted with their permission by Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper Clipping
Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper Clipping
Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star November 1940. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star December 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star December 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram December 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 615 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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